List of railway lines in New Zealand

Some lines were built by companies for access such as to coal mines, and by local government bodies.

[9] Some proposals have been particularly significant due to their extent, publicity, or how close they came to being realised (in some cases, the track bed was built).

Typical bush trams were more lightly constructed than ordinary rail lines and had steeper gradients and sharper curves.

With the low speeds that were commonplace, rolling stock and locomotives were generally built to lighter standards than main-line vehicles.

Employing horse, steam or electric power, they operated in most cases until the 1950s when improved buses saw most of the tracks scrapped.

Urban tram operations, built from scratch as tourist attractions, have more recently been restarted in Christchurch (1995) Auckland (2011), and Wanganui (2013).

A large number of societies operate working heritage railway lines and museums.

North Island rail network map (as of 2006)
South Island rail network map (as of 2006)
Auckland suburban rail network (in 2005)
Wellington suburban rail network (in 2006)